The green leaves had the pointy edges all the way around. As I started to pull

on them as well as a lot of other weeds the thought crossed my mind. I said to

myself, "Hey that looks like poison ivy." Then I decided it was not. I thought to myself,

 "Poison Ivy does not  grow around the  houses?"

We usually come across it in the woods. Not 10 min. later I noticed a red rash

up both sides of my arms. I started to panic and headed for the sink and scrubbed with a bunch of soap!

I washed my arms 3 times and was careful not to touch anything.

My next step was Web MD.

This is where I found the photos and what to do next. Poison ivy causes a red rash.

Later will come fluid filled bumps. The rash is caused by an

allergic reaction to the oil in the plant. It can spread if its on your clothing. As I continued to read

on WebMD I learned that the rash does not show up for about 5 hours after contact with the plant.

I also learned that you can not spread it after the rash has showed up. This is something new I learned.

You need to have contact the oil to spread Poison Ivy. When it seems to be spreading it is actually

still developing from earlier contact. I am not sure what is on my arms at this point but I hope

it goes away. If not I will be heading to the store for some calamine lotion.

check out all the great gardens and landscapes! People may think 

I am weird at times, but I get lots of great new ideas for my own yard. 

Just this afternoon while driving home from church I noticed a porch

with two black rod iron chairs. One on each side of the front door.

They had cut a hole in the seat of each chair  and placed a  basket of beautiful 

little purple flowers. I thought it was a great idea! I see chairs just like it in the trash 

every so often. Next time I see chairs like this I am going to garbage pick them,

buy some spray paint and copy the idea. I hope they don't mind ;).

with family and friends. Don't go on vacation a worry about who is taking care of your gardens.

With the Mister Landscaper Timer and low-flow irrigation system you can set the times you

would like your plants to be watered and 

Leave your home worry free. 

Www.misterlandscaper.com

Going Natural

Using all natural materials in the yard and around the home is

a great idea. All natural materials are safer for your family as well. I recently discovered 

tha you can usev

that

as your pets. The next time you walk around the corner into the kitchen

and realize your child or pet has discovered the cleaning bottle on the

counter and managed to get it down you won't have to panic.

There are many ways to make all natural cleaning supplies right in

your own home. My new favorite is 1 cup boiling white vinegar mixed with

1 cup dish soap. Dump it in a spray bottle and use it to clean counters, stove, floors

bathroom, and much more.

Weed Killer

If you are trying to get rid of the weeds in your yard mix 4 cups vinegar,  1/4 cup salt and 2 tsp. soap.

If you have a lot of weeds you can mix 1 gallon vinegar, 1 cup salt, and  1/4 cup soap.

The kits are easy to install and comes with everything you need including 

step by step instructions with pictures! 

Mister Landscaper has developed 8 kits.

If you are looking for a DIY low-flow irrigation system that will give you more

time with the family and less time hand  watering everything then you have

found what you are looking for.

It gets better. When you decide you love the kit and you want to add on

to you existing kit you can do it. Mister Landscaper sells their products

individually as well.

You can buy as much or as little as you want.

Did I mention that the shipping is free on orders of $25.00r more.

Made in the USA!

They are not only good for catching fish. The earthworm is what

feeds our soil and gives it the rich nutrient our plants need.

Earthworms also create tunnels in the soil that allow air and

water  to flow through. The earthworms eat the soil which has

decaying matter and digest it. After it is digested through the worm

it is released waste called casting. Casting is full of nutrient

that plants can use. The casting is great for fertilizer.

Mister Landscaper has designed a great new DIY low-flow irrigation kit.  

The Micro Spray Pot Stake Kit comes with 8 Adjustable Down-Spray Pot Stakes.

This complete DIY kit is easy to install and comes with every thing you need.  

Your potted plants will be getting the perfect amount of water in 6 easy steps.

This kit is expandable!  You can add up to 65 Pot Stakes.

Go to:  www.misterlandscaper.com and click on the new product link for more information.

Proudly Made In The USA.

perfect amount of water at the best time of day. The best part is 

that you don't have to be home to water. The timer can be set to turn on 

and off while you are away from home. You don't have to worry about paying 

someone to water your plants while you are away. The Mister Landscaper

can water all your plants for you.

get a lot more for your buck. You can save money by collecting the

seeds off your existing plants. You could also ask your friends or family

after the summer has passed and everything is dieing off

or going to sleep.

Once you have your seeds just store them in a dry safe place

till you are ready to plant. You can Google how to store them and

the best time to start growing your seeds. You want to plant

them at the right time. If you start too early the plant may start to grow out of it's

container before it's time to transplant it into the ground.

Another great way to save money is to recycle the containers you usually

throw out. I just washed out my roasted turkey container I bought from

the grocery store. It has a black bottom and a plastic clear cap. I am going to place

some rocks in the bottom and  place some soil on top of the rocks. Then I am

going to  poke holes in the clear lid. This is going to make the perfect container

to start growing my flowers and vegetables.

By harvesting my own seeds and planting them in a recycled mini green house

I can afford to grow a lot more plants. Gardening does not have to cost a lot of

money. Save your seeds and recycle your containers.

way to grow all your favorite fruits and vegetables.

The pots allow you to grow your vegetables anywhere. 

You can keep the plants out of reach for animals. Weeding will also 

be a little easier. If you are one who has a bad back you might

want to place the pots on a table that is waist high. This allows you 

to water and weed without putting the strain on your back.

Placing your fruits and vegetables in a pot is great If you live in an

area where the ground is not not garden friendly. For more potted garden ideas

go to Google and punch in "potted garden".

doctor I started realizing that, "Wow! I'm getting old fast!". I realized

that I need to start eating better.

I am finding out more and more that you are what you eat. I am coffee

dependent worry wart that can't seem 

to remember where she sat her coffee cut 20 seconds ago. I eat on the run

and have not seen green on my plate in a long time! My eyes are going fuzzy

and by the time I get home from work I am ready to crash! I realized today that I 

like my fruits and vegetables a lot more than I like the 4 walls of a

germ fest doctors office. Today I lift my glass to eating better!

and little tan bottles filled with pills.

build a garden that tells a story about my life. I am going to include 

DIY created pieces of art. I don't have everything planned out yet but, I

know it will all come together with time. My DIY art will tell a story that

express the personality of my 2 children, my husband, and our dog.

One of the art projects  will include a toy truck and blocks. My 1

year old son Justice loves to run his trucks all over the furniture while

grunting and making funny sounds. The blocks will remind me every day

of how much he loves to climb and explore. 

My daughters Abigale who is 2 will have her spot in my garden as well.

I have a few creative ideas I want to use to express who my daughter is.

They include a dog and books because she loves to carry around her

favorite pink dog. The book remind me of how much she loves to read.

 I am undecided on what I will do for my husband. I thought about placing

a kitchen plate  in the garden to remind me that he does a great job washing 

the dishes after dinner. I also want to place something Navy to represent

the time he served.

 Fedor our 5 year old English Bulldog is getting a old chewed up boot with

a cactus planted in it. The chewed up boot is to remind me to pick up

the kids toys at night so he does not eat them. The sharp cactus in the boot is to 

keep him from taking the boot from the garden. He loves to chew!

My plan is in place and now it is time to figure out what materials I can use that will

look good in my garden and be weather friendly.  I look forward

to sharing my garden story with you this Spring!

We eat a lot of bananas' at our house.  I never realized

how much easier it is to open a banana from the bottom

rather than the top.

It never dawned on me to  try  opening  it from the other end.

That was until a family member mentioned it while I was

struggling to open it from the top and reaching for a knife. 

I was surprised how much easier it was to open. I felt really silly when they

informed me that even the gorillas know that it's easier to open it

from the bottom. I guess I will have to pay closer attention the next time

we go to the zoo.

night and I started thinking about family values. The older actors on

Duck Dynasty are out of touch with technology

and believe it's hurting our children. I personally believe that

technology is important yet we are loosing old traditional values by

spending too much time in front of screens and a lot less time face to

face with family and nature.  This is when I started to think about

ways I can enrich my family's life.

I am going to try harder in 2013 to spend more quality time

with my family and nature and less time in front of a screen.

an annual sickness. It never fails. Every year around

this time my kids get  sick and then we all get sick.

After awhile you are great at diagnosing the problem.

My family has been on and off sick for about two months now. 

As I was sitting in my lazy boy tonight holding my sick 2 year old

I started to wonder what else I can do to help her feel better.

I decided to get online and do some searching. I found a few good tips

that I wanted to share. I have not tried any of them yet. 

I am going to take my daughter to the doctor on Monday if she does not

start feeling better.

sore throat: gargle with salt water or

drink mint tea.

Cold and Flu Symptoms: You can try a grapefruit.

cut a grapefruit and boil in water, next add honey and drink.

To treat nausea try  drinking the juice from canned peaches.

 Burnt toast and black tea are said to neutralize toxins if you

come down with food poisioning.

 Picking a Christmas tree is very important to the tree lovers in your family.

Here are a few easy steps you can take to keep your tree looking good for as long as

possible. 

1. If you have a choice to cut a fresh one or buy a pre cut tree it is best to cut it yourself.

Cutting the tree yourself ensures that you have a fresh tree that will make it through the 

holiday season without losing all its green.

2. If your only choice is to pick from a group of per-cut trees stay away from the ones

that have started to turn brown. This is a sign that they were cut awhile ago and may not last long.

3. If you have cut your tree be sure to get it in water within 8 hours of cutting it down. After 8 hours

the tree may not suck up the water like it should. If you bought a pre cut tree you should shave

off about 1/2 an inch. on the end to help it take in water.

4. Check the water level in your tree daily. If it is low fill it. If the tree is not taking up

any water you might have the tree too far down in the stand. The water might be having a hard time 

getting in. 

                                                     !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!CAUTION!!!!!!!!!!!!

5. Make sure your tree is not around any flames or electrical devices. Be sure to give your tree 

lots of room. Make sure you turn off all the lights before you go to bed or leave the house.

You don't want to take any chances. They are very flammable trees. 

All the DIY Mister Landscaper Kits have everything you need to set up your low-flow 

irrigation system. Below you will find a list of all the kits and what they can do for you.

1.  Micro Sprinkler Beginner's Kit with 2 Green Stake Assemblies

covering up to 150 sq. ft.

2. Micro Sprinkler Landscape & Shrub Kit with 5 tan Stake

Assemblies covering up to 250 sq. ft. (Each kit sold individually.)

3. Micro-Sprinkler Landscape & Shrub Kit with 5 Green Stake

Assemblies covering up to 250 sq. ft. (Each kit sold individually.)

4. The Mister Landscaper 50-foot Micro Sprinkler Starter Kit - Everything

you need to water up to 275 sq. ft. of landscape, gardens, shrubs,

trees, vegetables, and more is found in this all-in-one kit.

5. After many requests, Mister Landscaper has developed a kit

with the sole purpose of making it easier to expand your existing

Mister Landscaper irrigation system.

6. Vegetable Garden Drip Irrigation Kit covering up

to 100' of vegetable rows. (Each kit sold individually)

7. Patio & Potted Plant Drip Watering Kit will drip

up to 8 plants or spray up to 3 plants.

8. You will never have to add water to your bird bath again!

The Birdbath Dripper Kit is an incredible way to refill your bird

bath with a simple addition to your Drip Irrigation System.

 If you want to know more about one of these great DIY low-flow irrigation kits visit

www.misterlandscaper.com.

You want to protect your plants from the frost. After all you work

very hard all summer to  keep them looking their best. Don't let the

frost hurt or even kill your precious plants.

You can take a few easy steps to protect your plants from a frost.

Step 1: Cover your plants with bed sheets if you know it is going to frost that

night or day. You may need to use stakes if the weight of the sheet is pulling

your plants over. You can also use light blankets or plastic as long as it does

not smother the plant. Remember a plant is a living thing and needs air.

Step 2: Remember to remove the covers once the temp

rises again the next day.

Step 3: If it is going to be longer than 1 day of frost you

can cover your plants with straw or mulch and remove

once the danger of frost is over.

Step 4: You can snuggle your potted plants close together

under a shelter to help protect them from the frost.

Step 5: You can use a low watt out door light to help keep

the frost off your plants as well. 

Thank you for reading. Have a great winter!

they may die as well. If you water them at the wrong time of day you could hurt them as well.

So, when is the best time to water your plants?

Mornings tend to be the best time to water your plants. The mornings are best for a few reasons.

For starters it is cool in the morning so the amount of water lost due to evaporation is lower

than if you were to water during the mid-day hours. Some people like to water their plants at night.

The problem with watering at night is that the plants remain damp all night and can become

damaged due to fungal and bacterial diseases. 

As for how much water your plants should get depends on the age. If they are new plants

they will need extra water until the roots take hold. If you have a established plant then

the roots may be deep enough to reach the damp soil.  as for how to water your plants

it is best to use a drip system instead or a regular sprinkler that waste a lot of water and

drenches the leaves which do not need the water. 

If you are looking for a great low-flow irrigation system that will take care of all your

watering concerns Mister Landscaper has it all. They have great DIY low-flow

irrigation kits as well as timers that will control the time and length of time your

plants get water. Mister landscaper has great prices and is made in the USA.

you can visit them at www.misterlandscaper.com. They also provide free

shipping on orders of $25.00 or more.

with a easy DIY low-flow irrigation system.  

The Micro Sprinkler Beginner's Kit is a great place to start.

It provides you with easy step-by-step instructions that will

 allow you to sit back  within 30-45 min. later

and sip your favorite drink while all your flowers are being watered.

The Micro Sprinkler Beginner's Kit comes with 2 Green Stake

Assemblies and covers up to 150 sq. ft.

The instructions are very clear and easy to follow.

You will be done after 6 easy steps. Each step

includes a photo that demonstrates what you need to do next. 

Once you have set up your low-flow irrigation system you

can sit back and enjoy  all the benefits. The low-flow irrigation

system  from Mister Landscaper will have you using up to 50%

less water.  It will save you time that you would have spent

watering  your plants by hand, and you  will save money on your

next water bill.

The Micro Sprinkler Beginner's kit makes a great Christmas

gift for all your garden friends. The great thing about Mister

Landscapers kits is that if you ever want to add on to the system

it is very easy. Mister Landscaper sells everything sold in

the kit individually as well. You can go back and re- order

at any time, and as long as you spend $25.00 or more the

shipping is free. 

If you would like to place an order today for

Mister Landscaper you can go to www.misterlandscaper.com

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. If you have any

questions please feel free to ask.

As time goes on I am finding out that you can use pumpkins for a lot of reasons.

You can make a pie,  bake the seeds, plant flowers in them, use the shell as

a drink dispenser use them for the head of a scare crow, and paint them.

The list keeps growing.

Pumpkins are great for many reasons.

The pumpkin it's self is also good for you. Pumpkins are a great source of vitamins

and minerals.

They have beta-carotene, potassium, and vitamin C. Pumpkin can also help prevent

hardening of the arteries.

Next time you go to the pumpkin patch or local super market you might want to pick up a

pumpkin for one of these great reasons.

Mister Landscaper want's to wish all of you a wonderful week.

Simply follow the step by step instructions and you will be eating your own canned

fruits and vegetables all winter long.

1. The first thing you need is the fruits or vegetables. Be sure to throw out or

cut off all the rotten pieces.

Next you want to wash them really good to remove dirt and chemicals.

2. The temp you use for canning depends on the type of food you want to can.

If it's vegetables the

temp. must be 240 F till all the harmful bacteria is destroyed. This can be done

with a steam pressure canner.

3. If you are canning fruit (tomatoes included) they have a high level of acid and

require heat processing of 212 F. This is reached by using a boiling-water canner.

4. It is important that you use the most up to date guide lines for canning your fruits

and vegetables. Be sure that the cook book is newer and double check the canning

process with an additional up to date source before you begin. If you go to the Ball or

Kerr web site you will get the most up to date canning instructions.

5. When you are ready to fill your jars with the hot content be sure you leave extra space at the top

of the jar. Use a wooden spoon to help get all the air out of the hot food.

Push the spoon down the inside of the jar all the way around and carefully push

the food down. This should get most of the air out.

6. Next, clean the rim of the jar with a clean damp cloth. Place the warm heated lid on top of the jar.

Now you can screw the band down nice and tight. It does not have to be really tight. You should be

able to get it off using only your finger tips.

7. Now you can carefully remove the jars from the canner and place them on a counter to

cool. You might want to put a towel down first. Do not tighten the loads more at this point.

Just let the jars cool.

8. Wait 24 hours or more before checking the lids to make sure they sealed. You can check by

pushing down on the center cap. If it does not move it is sealed. If it does move this meant the

jar did not seal and you will need to refrigerate it and eat it first.

9. The last step is to labile date and store for later. 

10. You are done and ready to enjoy your fruits and vegetables all winter long.

How about DIY placemats?

you will need:

1. fresh leaves

2. crayons

3. photos

4. lamination paper (see link below)

5. scissors

They are the perfect decoration for the fall season. It is an easy DIY craft that does not

have to take a long time to make and you can add what ever you like.

My idea for the up coming season is to use the leaves that are falling from the trees. You

can pick any color you wish.

If you can't find the color you want you can use white printer paper

and a color crayon. Just place the leaf bumpy side up under the paper

and color the paper with your choice of color in a quick back and fourth

motion. You will see the pattern of the leaf starting to show through.

With this you can choose any color for your placemat.

Once you have it colored and cut out place it on half of the

sticky lamination paper just how you like it. If you want to use

the real leaf then just stick it on the paper directly.

If you want to make it personal you can add family photos.

Below I have attached links to where you can find the self lamination paper. 

 http://www.amazon.com/Avery-Self-Adhesive-Laminating-Sheets-73601/dp/B00007E7D2

Thank you for reading our blog. Have a wonderful fall season. Please feel free to

share your experience on the mister landscaper Facebook page.

http://www.staples.com/Duck-Clear-Laminate-18-inch-x-8-Yards/product_825000

want to start over. Others want to keep small animals out of the garden. Then there are those

of us who just like the look. No matter what you reason is for wanting a raised garden bed. I

have a few easy solutions to building one that will take very little time and effort and money.

The first idea is to use an old plastic swimming pool. You can cut most of the bottom out

so the water can drain and place a bottom layer or rock prior to filling it up with dirt.

The next idea is to use a horse trough. They are easy to find at tractor supply and they look

good. If you don't like the color you can always paint the outside. Don't forget to cut the large

hole in the bottom and dump a layer of rock before you put the dirt in.

My third idea was to find a old wooden box. The ones people use That ship large items.

They may be a little too tall but, you can cut as much as you want off the top. It would still

be easier than starting from scratch.

My last idea was to use an old sand box. It does not matter what kind. My daughter has

an old plastic one that liked like a crab. I wish we still had it. 

The last step is to plant your raised bed and enjoy the extra time and money you saved.

Please feel free to share your DIY project on our Mister Landscaper Facebook page.

Is there something missing in your garden? Do you have a problem with birds?

Have you thought about building a scare crow? They make neat decorations

and serve a purpose. It's also a great way to have some quality family time.

is all you need is as followed.

1. long sleeve shirt

2. pants or overalls

3. suspenders 

4. pumpkin

5. i bail of straw

6. old shoes

7. hat

8. stuff that makes noise in the wind

9. marker

10. something to prop Mr. or Mrs. scare crow up on.

Now you are ready to start stuffing. I usually start with the pants. Once you get the panths as

stuffed as you wish set the pants aside and start stuffing the shirt. If you want a button up

shirt I recommend stuffing a long sleeve plain shirt and then putting the button up shirt on over.

If you try to stuff a button up shirt you will run into a problem with keeping the buttons on.

In other words you will start to bust at the seams. 

Once all is stuffed you can tie the top and bottom together with string or you can use suspenders. 

Now decide how you want your scarecrows face to look. You can carve a pumpkin

face or just draw a pumpkin face using a black or brown permanent marker.

The last step is to place the scarecrow just how you want it and then add the

boots, hat, and tin pans or cans to make noise in the wind to scare off the birds. 

The final step is to name your scare crow.

Enjoy your DIY fall scarecrow!

Please share with us on our Facebook page. We would love to hear all about your scarecrows.

If you are wondering what kind of scare crow to make you can go to http://www.makescarecrows.com/scarecrow-ideas.html for some neat ideas.

If you want so see some ideas you can also go to https://www.google.com/webhp?source=search_app#hl=en&q=scarecrow+pictures&revid=218479491&sa=X&ei=WT9cUM21LOfW0gHMiYGQCQ&sqi=2&ved=0CJkBENUCKAE&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&fp=78f29d23f70e5505&biw=1920&bih=989

We are not too far away and I  am sure that I am not the only one thinking about what I am

going to carve into my pumpkins. I have seen a few good ideas I just am not too sure if  I

can do what they did. If you are looking for some cute ideas.

For those of you who don't like to get messy but still want the experience I found a online

pumpkin carving site. Go to www.onlinepumpkincarving.com.  It's cute and easy to do.

If you see up you can start all over again with the click of a button.

For my friends who love to dig in and try new things I found a site that will allow you to

download and print 2012 patterns for free. You have 6 to pick from.

Go to www.spookmaster.com/pumpkin-carving-patterns-freebies.htm.

If you are looking for the perfect pumpkin carving set check out Amazon.com. They are

being sold for $6.54 and if you order $25.00 or more worth of stuff you can get the free shipping.

For my friends who have never carved a pumpkin and this will be your first time you can

print out step by step directions on www.dltk-holidays.com/Halloween/mpatterns.htm.

For my friends who want to carve pumpkins for the fall season I ran into a cute idea on

www.pintrest.com. They were using cookie cutters to stamp out different patterns. If you

go to www.pintrest and join for free you can do a search for pumpkin carving and see all the great ideas.

Don't forget to share all your pumpkin ideas with us on Facebook. We would love to hear from you.

Don't throw out the empty coffee can. It will make a great flower pot. In a few easy steps I will tell you how to turn your empty coffee can into a beautiful flower pot.

1. Rinse the can out with plain water.

2. carefully poke about 5 Skittle candy size holes in the bottom of the plastic or metal can.

3. Paint your entire coffee can with paint recommended to be used on plastic or metal. The darker the paint the less coats you will need to cover the advertisement on the coffee can.  Let the paint dry for about 1 hour.

4. Now you are ready to stencil your flower pot. You can make your own stencils with peel and stick contact paper and a sharp knife.www.youtube.com/watch. This Youtube video will show you the details.

5. If you don't want to make your own stencils you can pick some up from any craft store.

6. Once the flower pot is dry about 1-2  hours you can now place about 1 inch of rocks in the bottom add your soil and a plant of your choice.

I hope you have enjoyed this craft and we look forward to hearing from you on facebook.

Watering your plants can become  challenging at times.

For me remembering to water my plants can be a challenge.

I have had one too many experiences where I just got too busy

to stop and water all my plants one-by-one. By the time my life

slowed down enough to water all my plants half of them were dead.

This is one reason Mister Landscaper created the Kits. The  low-flow

irrigation kits are designed to make your life a little easier. The kits 

 comes with step-by-step directions that are designed to make the

process of instillation quick and easy. The Mister Landscaper kits

come with everything you will need to water your plants.

Each Kit covers a certain amount of square feet or a certain

number of potted plants. Mister Landscaper has also posted

how to instructions on YouTube.  If you are a visual learner then

the YouTube video's may be very helpful.

Once you get your kit installed and flowing you may want to order

additional drippers, or stakes. Don't worry. Mister Landscaper

sells the irrigation kit materials separately as well. If you don't have

enough of something you can order more. Don't forget shipping

is free on orders $25.00 or more.

 Don't forget to share your experience with us on the Mister Landscaper Facebook page.

A new season is around the corner and it's about time to select what fall flowers you want to have in your garden.

In this blog you will hear about 5 of the best fall flowers.

Russian sage

Russian sage is a great fall flower. It will grow tall and bloom small beautiful blue/purple flowers.

The leaves on this flower are small and have a silver tint to them. This flower gets 3-5 feet tall and

2.5-3 feet wide. This flower will need to go in behind your shorter plants. The Russian sage blooms

in the middle of summer into fall. It has a beautiful smell and is a great color for the fall season.

Helenium

The Helenium provides your garden with an array of deep reds and a dark brown center, perfect for the fall

season. It will grow about 1.25m tall and .6m wide. The flower looks great next to ornamental grass and other

earth color flowers. The bees and butterflies will flock to this flower. The Helenium also makes a great fall

centerpiece for the up coming holidays. These flowers like a lot of sun and moist soil.

 Mums

Another great flower for the fall is a Mum. They come in many beautiful fall colors and are easy to care for.

Mums look great along sidewalks or next to your front door. If you have them in a pot be sure the pot can

drain, and give them a good amount of sun and water every day. If they are in the soil you should water

them at least 3 times a week. Mums are sturdy flowers with many great colors to choose from. They should

last through the fall months and into early winter. If you take care of your Mums they will last for years.

Sunflowers

The sunflower is perfect for the fall season with its large yellow bloom. The sunflower is also great for snacking. 

I like sunflower seeds with salt. The sunflower is a strong plant but may need support once it gets tall. The weight

of the bloom can cause the plant to bend.

Alstroemeria

Celery:  Take the bottom of the celery you cut off and soak it in warm water for about 24 hours. Next plant it in fertile soil with the cut side up. Water Daily. in about 1-2 weeks you should start to see the tops of baby celery.

Sweet Potatoes:  To grow a sweet potato is all you need is the end of one of your old sweet potatoes. Cut off the end of the potato, place toothpicks around the outside of the potato and submerge the tip in water allowing the toothpicks to support the remainder of the piece of patato above the water. Palce the potato in a nice sunny spot near the window and watch the roots start to grow in about three weeks.  Once the roots form it is ready to plant in the ground.

Pineapple:  You can grow a pineapple by planting the top of your scrap pineapple.  Once you have removed the top you need to peel away about 1/2 in. of the leaves at the bottom of the stalk. Next you need to trim the bottom and sides of the stalk till you see little brown dots around the rim. This is where your roots will come from. Now you need to let the pineapple dry for two days to prevent it from rotting.  Then place the pineapp.e top into a bowl of plain water. Remember to change the water every 2 days. Once you see lots of roots growing it's time to plant the top in a pot that drains well with about 9 inches of soil. They grow slow, but soon you will have a healthy pinapple bush that one day, a couple of years from now, will produce a pinapple.

I hope you have enjoyed our blog.  Good luck growing your scraps. We would love to hear about your experience on our Mister Landscaper Facebook Page. If you enjoyed this blog and want to learn about other scraps you can grow do a search on google.com for "plants you can plant from scraps".  And as always, Mister Landscaper the best way to irrigate all of you fruits and vegetables.

Thanks for reading, and have an awesome week.

Here are some smart ways to water your garden or landscape:

You don't need to water your lawn every day. During the summer months you only need to water every five to seven days. Your lawn only needs about one inch of water a week. You can buy a rain gauge to help keep track of how much water your grass is getting. The best time to water your lawn and plants is early in the morning or at night when the temperature is lower.

Mister Landscaper sells a timer that you can set to water your landscapes & garden beds when you want to. This will make smart watering very easy and avoid over or underwatering your plants. Mister Landscaper also sells a DIY easy to install low-flow Micro and Drip Irrigation kits that will use 50% to 70% less water then standerd irrigation. This will help keep the green in your garden as well as in your wallet! In the long run you will save water, time and money. Using mulch or graound cover also helps to retain moisture in the soil which means you have to water less overall.
 

For Smart Irrigation Month Mister Landscaper created a coloring book as a fun way to help teach kids about how to water wisely.  You can download it by clicking this link.

Some other simple tips to save water and re-use it in the garden are...

If you are going to take a bath use the water after you are done to water your plants.

If you take a shower put a bucket in the shower to catch the water. When you are done use it to water your plants.

Rain Barrels, we have all heard of them.  Getting one set up is not that hard, and you can use Micro and Drip Irrigation with them. Companies like Aqua Barrel make small pumps that cary the water in the barrel's to attached hoses for easy use.  Check them out at http://www.aquabarrel.com

If you have any other smart watering tips you can join us on Facebook. We would love to hear from you.

http://www.facebook.com/MisterLandscaper

I want to wish all of you a smart watering day.

1. We are free to have an opinion - and voice it. No matter if people like it or not.
 
2. We are free to invent, create, and build a business in the hope that we have something to offer that others will be able to use and enjoy.
 
3. We are free to better ourselves. A person who starts off as a fast-food restaurant employee does not have to remain that way. They can choose to be better, work to improve, and, if they want, find a better place in life.
 
4. We are free to choose. We have the freedom to choose what we do, what we want, and how we act and react to those choices.
 
5. We are free to find fault with our leaders. No matter your political persuasion, that's a big one because no man or group of people is perfect. Being able to shine light on the wrongdoings of leadership without fear of being sent to prison - or worse - has helped to keep those that would be tyrants at bay.
 
6. We have freedom to build a future. Our course is not set. We can make ourselves better, make our nation better, and build families, companies, gardens, and lives that are marked by a continued movement toward greatness.
 
Mister Landscaper invents, develops, and manufactures quality products in America - instead of the alternative - because we believe that by providing Americans with the opportunity to work we are not just making better products. We are improving ourselves and giving others the opportunity to better themselves.
 
Our products are of the highest quality. We oversee production from start to finish, and we check them consistently. We can guarantee they work because we made them here - in America. We know what went into them, and we know the quality our customers expect to get out of them.
 
Thank you to our customers for allowing us to continue to make the highest-quality Micro and Drip Irrigation products on the market today.
 
Happy Birthday, America. Have a wonderful 4th of July!
 
 

There are a great many benefits to having edible plants in the yard. The first being, they are edible.  This can save some time, and money by avoiding going to the grocery store, just walk outside and pick your favorite veggie or fruit off your own plant. The Second benefit is that they are healthy.  We always talk about how we want to eat healthier around our house. What better way to do that then to surround our yards with healthy plants that encourage us to consume more fruits and vegetables.  A third benefit, is that growing edible landscapes is a "green" way to landscape a yard because the fruits and veggies that are grown in the yard don't have to be shipped across country or around the world to end up on your table.  And last, but certainly not least, if it is grown in your yard, you know what went into it, and on it, so there is less worry about strong pesticides or chemical fertilizers, and more time to enjoy the fruits of your yard.

This kind of landscaping will continue to gain in popularity as people tire of using water and other resources for large grassy areas that do little more then ornament the yard. Edible landscapes can help feed us and turn our yards into ecosystems. Fruit-bearing trees, bushes and perennial vegetables can be a part of a productive landscape, especially when mixed in with native and drought-resistant ornamentals. Ad to that low flow irrigation products such as micro & drip irrigation and one can create a sustainable landscape with not just color, but flavor as well.
With the prices of food rising in much of the country this is, no doubt, a trend that will continue to grow, leaving many a front and or back yard full of tasty treats.
 

Later, another friend of his at work told him that more than likely what had
 happened was a lack of our buzzing friends who are responsible for
 pollinating our plants. Quite simply, when the vegetable plants budded,
there were no bees around to spread the pollen. Could it be that simple? The
 answer is yes.


Anyone who has lived in Florida for a considerable amount of time has driven 
by an orange grove. The white stacks of wooden crates in the middle of the 
grove? Those are bee hives. They ensure the trees will produce oranges next 
fall. Amazing, isn't it?


Next time you are in your garden, and you notice a few of our hard working 
friends buzzing around, just let them be. They're doing you a huge
favor--what they were meant to do.
 

Thank you to all our wonderful Micro and Drip Irrigation customers, and have a great week enjoying all that nature has to offer.

Mr. Landscaper Team

Sacrifice, honor, bravery, determination, youth, selflessness, service… These words do not quite match what is described up above. What they do relate to is the true meaning of this holiday weekend. Memorial Day dates back to our American Civil War it was first celebrated to honor the fallen Union soldiers of that war. Soon after that, every last Monday in May has been set aside to honor every person that has given their life in the service of the Armed Forces of the United States of America. Was it your grandfather in WWll, an uncle or father in Vietnam? Could it be a brother or sister wife or husband in Iraq or the war against terrorism? We all know someone.
 

Every year at this time, take a small amount of time to be thankful for the ultimate sacrifice they have given so we might enjoy the freedoms we have. Every privilege we have as Americans has been earned by the giving of a life. From everyone at Mister Landscaper, thank you. We are proud to be Made in the U.S.A.

Celebrate safely this weekend.
 

Once all the initial work has been completed, such as the flower beds cleaned, pruning, planting, weeding, it is time to put the wet stuff on the green stuff. We just have to figure out what is the best and most efficient way to get that water to where we need it. Rain is best. But for some areas of our country, rain is a little scarce these days.

Mister Landscaper continues to show its commitment to customers by developing and producing great and new products--such as our NEW Mister Timer for microsprays and drip irrigation and our Red Down Spray Mister, which is a great new way for watering those plants that require plenty of water to the roots.

We are strongly committed to developing and producing new exciting products for you--our customers.

To see these new products, take a look around our Website. Did you know you can also see our products on Youtube? Plus, follow us on Facebook and watch for new posts about our new products and the great activities we have to keep us involved with you--our friends and customers.

Mister Landscaper happened upon this great example of how these fountains can be transformed at the EPCOT Flower & Garden Show, so we wanted to share it with our customers.

Below is a step-by-step, how to turn your fountain into a planter.

Step 1:

Drill holes in the basins of your fountain.

Step 2:

Cover the holes you drilled with mulch, pot shards, or landscape fabric.

Step 3:

Fill the basins with lightweight potting soil.

Step 4:

Plant drought-tolerant plants of different colors and textures. (In our example, succulents were used.)

Step 5:

Water your new planter regularly, but only when the soil is dry.  Using a Drip Irrigation system like our Patio Watering Kit with dripper stakes will make sure that your new planter gets just the right amount of water to keep your plants healthy and still conserve water.

Step 6:

Enjoy the new addition to your garden. It is bound to turn some heads, or maybe start a conversation or two with the neighbors.

If you find yourself in one of these areas, what can you do to compensate for the lack of water, while continuing to keep your plants, not only alive but healthy and thriving?

Below we have a simple list of things that will help any garden or landscape thrive in a less-than-adequate watering environment.

• Use correct watering techniques: Water early in the day or late in the evening to reduce evaporation loss. Water less frequently, but for longer lengths of time, to encourage deep root growth. Check hoses for leaks before watering plants, and position sprinklers so they water only plants -- not the road or house. Some simple adjustments can save water and reduce runoff.
   
• Condition the soil: If you add organic matter to clay and sandy soils, it will increase the penetrability of clay soils and the water-holding capacity of sandy soils.
   
• Mulch the soil surface: This helps cut down on water loss due to evaporation. A two-inch layer of mulch or compost is recommended. Apply mulches to shrubs, trees, annuals, vegetable gardens and even containers.
   
• Collect compost for mulching: Use food scraps, yard trimmings, and other organic waste to create a compost pile. Compost is a rich soil amendment that can help increase water retention, decrease erosion and replace chemical fertilizers.
   
• Shelter container plants to conserve water: Move your container plants to areas with partial shade to keep them from drying quickly in hot windy areas.
   
• Install a drip irrigation or micro irrigation system: A low-flow irrigation system can save up to 70 percent of all water used in garden care, making it a feasible way to water in drought conditions. Also many areas allow low-flow irrigation in gardens and landscapes even when there are watering restrictions.
   
• Discourage competition: Pull any weeds to discourage competition for water. Consider a landscape fabric between the soil and your mulch to further reduce weeds.
   
• Use rain barrels to collect rainwater: By using rain barrels to collect water you can eliminate the need to suck up water from your utility, but rather use what nature has given to keep your plants thriving when rain is more scarce. 

If you do all of these things, it will have an impact on your garden and landscape. It will also help when the rain is not falling quite as much as you need it too.

Since that time, we have had a few questions as to how it was done. We didn't know, so we went and asked the garden experts at the show. They gave us a step-by-step on how they created the garden focal point - allowing us to share that knowledge with our awesome customers and anybody else who would want to add this fun feature to their landscape.

Step 1

Lay bottom course of concrete blocks, angling blocks occasionally to make plant pockets.

Step 2

Lay second course "stair step", so cells at the end of bottom course are exposed. Angle blocks occasionally to make plant pockets, but not directly over bottom plant pockets.

Step 3

Lay top course similar to others.

Step 4

Once you are happy with the design, remove sections and glue together with outdoor adhesive or mortar. Weight top cells with extra blocks until cured.

Step 5

Drive metal stakes through open cells and into ground, every 2-3 blocks, Partially fill staked cells with mortar if you need extra stability.

Step 6

Push a piece of hardware cloth (chicken wire will do) into the bottom of an open cell to hold up plants. Glue the wire in place with an outdoor adhesive.

Step 7

Cut a piece of landscape fabric to fit and lay it on top of the hardware cloth to hold in the soil. Use the outdoor adhesive to hold this in place as well.

Step 8

Fill the open cells with lightweight potting soil mix and plant with succulents or other drought-tolerant species of plants.

Step 9

Sit back and enjoy the wonderful new addition to your landscape.

 The wealth of the nation is its air, water, soil, forests, minerals, rivers, lakes, oceans, scenic beauty, wildlife habitats and biodiversity…That’s all there is. That’s the whole economy. - Gaylord Nelson (Founder of Earth Day)

For some of us that means some “Dog Days” ahead. For others, maybe not so bad. But one thing that is certain is that most of our country has been faced with drought issues for a few years now. From the Southwest to the Southeast, the presence of rain has been scarce.

• Use native plants to your area.
• Choose low-water grass types.
• Plant trees and shrubs to slow erosion and cool down the area.

• Hand watering is not very efficient.
• Drip & Micro Spray Irrigation is best for all plants, flowers, shrubs, and trees.
• Watering early in the morning is best.
• Water the lawn, not the pavement, by adjusting the sprinklers.
• Chemical fertilizers speed up the growth of lawns, not using them means less to water.
• Raise the cut length of your mower. Taller grass shades the roots and promotes healthier turf & requires less watering.
• Do not puddle the water by over-watering. Water less time and more often to give it time to soak in if you have harder soil types.

We are happy to announce that we have just added a new automatic water timer (Product Number: MLWT-TIMER). This timer comes fully loaded with tons of great features, which makes it much better than our previous model.

Just for comparison's sake, we listed some of the differences between our new timer and our old one so you can see for yourself if an upgrade would be worth it.

Our new timer can be set to the nearest minute, versus the old one, which was to the nearest hour.

Our new timer has a run time of 1 to 240 minutes, while the old timer could only run from 1 to 99 minutes.

Our new timer has 11 different watering cycles to choose from. The old timer had only 8 cycle choices.

Our awesome new timer has a manual run time of 5 minutes up to 240 minutes. Compare this to the old timer which only had a 30-minute option.

The new Mister Landscaper timer takes 2 AA batteries instead of the hard-to-find 9-volt blocks.

With the new timer, it is much easier to change the battery, with no screws to undo - unlike the older one in which two screws had to be removed.

One of the neatest features in the new timer is a rain delay setting. This allows you to delay 1, 2, or 3 days before a run cycle. The old timer did not have this feature at all, so it is a great add-on for sure.

All of the new features make this new electronic timer a definite plus in our drip irrigation and micro irrigation product line.  It allows customers to set their watering times for their landscapes and gardens, then go about their lives, knowing that their gardens will get just the right amount of water they needs.  The avid gardener could even go on a vacation and not have to get a garden sitter. Nice. 

Irrigation is a very important part of any garden, especially vegetables. Too much or too little water can affect not only the quality of your produce but also whether you get any produce.

Mister Landscaper’s Vegetable Garden Drip Kit is perfect for your home vegetable garden. It’s easy, time-efficient, and includes everything you need to water up to 100 linear feet of vegetables. Take a look.

Mister Landscaper’s Vegetable Garden Drip Kit… The right amount of water for all your vegetables.

Join the discussion... Are you growing vegetables? If so, which ones? How is it going?

We provide quality Micro and Drip Irrigation products that are tested and designed to be the best - and our customers know that. By asking for Mister Landscaper again and again, you let us know that what we are doing is right, and we will keep creating, manufacturing, and developing the best garden and landscape irrigation products on the market. 

If you would like to find us in a Lowe's store near you, Check out our store finder: secure.misterlandscaper.com/StoreLocator.aspx

Thank you to all of our loyal customers who would not settle for anything else but Mister Landscaper.

- Mister Landscaper Team

Wikipedia defines it as:

A group of interacting people, living in some proximity (i.e., in space, time, or relationship).

In space, time or relationship, life is certainly about relationships, wouldn’t you agree? We all have the longing to be part of something big, to form relationships with others, preferably those that have the same interest, or better yet, the same passion as you and me.

As I walked into my local garden center with my two-year-old in the basket, we were presented with a beautiful sight.  The place was alive with color, as the fresh spring flowers were on display from front to back of the greenhouse. Not only that, but the place was buzzing with excitement, and it wasn’t the bees. The employees were cleaning and prepping and helping customers pick out the plants that they wanted and find things that were hidden behind huge racks of potted perennials.

I suppose spring is like a garden lover’s Christmas time.  The color, the scent of fresh mulch and deep dark soil could definitely be acquainted to the scent of cinnamon or fresh holly. My daughter loved it so much that she even took some pictures of the flowers with my iPod. 

We are a little spoiled here in Florida, where spring comes early.  I know that half the country is still on the chilly side, but there are many happenings to welcome in spring, including garden shows dotting the country. So, if you are looking to fit a little spring into the tail end of your winter, look one up.  I know I am looking forward to a few.

If you happen to be looking for a way to water all those plants you are going to buy at the garden shows, we recommend Drip Irrigation & Micro Irrigation, of course. It is the best way to save water in your new garden - and give you more time to enjoy it!

When it comes to roses, the key to good watering is to water deep and infrequently.

According to the American Community Garden Association (ACGA), a community garden is simply a piece of land that is gardened by a group of people. It can be for flowers or vegetables or simply to spend time with others who love gardening.

Here’s a sampling of community gardens making headlines across the country.

• In South Florida, there are various community gardens on city-owned land. These gardens help needy folks learn to grow their own food. Many are in areas that need beautification or are undergoing revitalization. Others are in urban areas. 
• In Greer, South Carolina, the local hospital started the project. Soon, sponsors donated tools and irrigation equipment - even seeds - to get gardeners started. 
• Portland has 39 community gardens, many with open spots waiting to be rented.  Each 100-square-foot area rents for $21. Volunteers have “work parties” to tend to area gardens. Some plant beds are handicapped-accessible. And they also offer scholarships for low-income families and individuals. 
• In Kalamazoo, Michigan, the success of one community garden has sparked interested in starting other gardens around that area. Plans also include compost heaps, a greenhouse for year-round gardening, and classes for those needing a little extra help getting started. 

These are just a few of the community gardens making news around the country.

As springtime approaches, think about joining a community garden in your area. You can search for existing gardens. Better yet, start one!

Here is more information on how to get started.

Join the discussion:

Are you interested in community gardening? If so, tell us about it. If you’re already participating in a community garden, share some information with us. Who participates? What do you grow? How do you maintain it?

• Fires, 
• Relief, response, and restrictions, 
• Tourism, and 
• Water supply and quality. 

• Plant more shrubs than annuals. Shrubs grow deeper roots than annuals and can withstand drier weather. Annuals do not develop deep roots as easily and are more susceptible to changes in weather.
• Plant strategically. Evaluate your house and the natural flow of water surrounding your property to identify areas that naturally get more water than others. Position plants that require more water in high water traffic areas (for example, below the gutters). Those that don’t need as much water can be placed in drier areas of your yard.
• Install drip irrigation. Products such as Mister Landscaper’s 50 ft. Micro Sprinkler Starter Kit keep the ground moist and provide continuous water supply to plants, shrubs, trees, gardens, and flowers.
• Finally, don’t forget the mulch. It serves a greater purpose than just being visually appealing - it also maintains moisture in the soil. 

The "Season of Giving" is upon us once again. Trees are going up, Thanksgiving is being planned, and shops are decking the halls and walls with all sorts of sparkling goodies.  With this in mind, we here at Mister Landscaper thought we would do a little holiday shopping and check out some of the best garden and landscape products on the market.  That way, you don't necessarily have to do all of the legwork, and you can bless the green thumb that is in your life with something that will thrill them and make their garden grow.

Let's start with tools: 

Every gardener and landscaper alike needs to have the right equipment to achieve the best results. 

We went to Corona Tools www.coronatoolsusa.com/

They sell quality tools for everything from pruning trees to wheeling around all of that mulch and dirt. Even rakes to clean up the mess left behind. It definitely beats trying to to it all with your bare hands.

A place for your garden to call home: 

Raised Bed Garden Kits by Greenland Gardener

http://www.greenlandgardener.com/

Many people we talk to online are getting into building their own garden bed and creating a raised area to grow their plants.  If you are like me, then using a tape measure, saw, hammer and nails is not going to happen. A Raised Bed Garden Kit is the way to go. We stumbled onto these kits at a local retailer, and they look fantastic.  Simple to set up, all of the cutting and measuring has already been done. So no saws required.  There are many benefits to using these kits to start your garden venture.  Also, the materials used to make the kits themselves are recycled, which makes it a green product all around.  Oh, and they are also manufactured in the United States, which makes them a hit with us for sure.

Watering your garden:

I know you would think we would only mention our products here, but we know of another company that creates excellent ways to use resources wisely when concerning water for landscapes and gardens. 

That company is Aquabarrels, which has developed several systems to harvest and use rainwater to water gardens and landscapes.  Most of those barrels can be used with drip irrigation and micro irrigation products, so not only can you recycle the water used, you can also conserve how you use that water so it lasts a long time.

www.aquabarrel.com/

They have numerous products to choose from, which are also made in the U.S.A. 

Last, but certainly not least, is - that's right - Mister Landscaper:

Why do we make such a great Christmas gift for the green thumb in your life.  Because we rock!  Besides that, Mister Landscaper has been in the irrigation business for over 20 years, and its parent company over 100.  We know water, and we know what plants need to grow to their healthiest.  Our Drip Irrigation and Micro Irrigation products are developed specifically to be easy to install, so easy in fact that even young children can help put the system together.  They can be moved around to fit the the landscape's design and to water some plants more then others.  They are extremely durable, tested in all climates, and standing up to everything from the cold of the Northeast to the heat of the Florida sun. They are also manufactured in the United States, making them a product that helps support jobs and growth right here at home.  We also save time - no digging required to set up our Drip Irrigation or our Micro Irrigation products.

Cost is - of course - important, too.  Save money by purchasing one of our high quality kits that range from just $17.99 to $61.44.  These kits include everything needed to set up irrigation in landscapes and gardens:

bit.ly/uEMn7G

Check them out and see what you think.

There are literally tons of great garden and landscape products out there.  These are just a handful that we found to be of great and consistent quality and value for those who are into growing beautiful gardens or landscapes. 

Here is to finding the perfect gift, the one that keeps on growing!

In recent years, large landscape companies have also adopted Micro and Drip Irrigation as a way to water a variety of landscapes, keeping the plants well-nourished and saving 50% or more on water usage.  Everywhere you look you can see it, little black stakes in the ground with Micro Sprays hidden behind bushes, Drip Irrigation tubing stretching through landscaped flower beds. With ever-increasing awareness of conservation of water, and the importance of being wise with resources, this trend will continue to improve as time goes on.

All of these things are incredible on their own, but they are just the beginning.  Where Drip Irrigation is heading now is into the garden and landscape of the average homeowner.  Most homeowners shy away from trying to mess with installing irrigation, for fear that it is too complicated or that they will not do it right and create a disaster that will kill all of their plants. But with droughts at a record high, and the desire of many to establish home gardens, that mentality is quickly changing. 

The benefits of using Drip Irrigation and Micro Irrigation are tremendous.  It's not just about not wasting water.  The plants get what they need rather than too much water, which can lead to fungus growth and premature rot in the root systems.  Also, many areas in the country that are under drought conditions will allow home owners to use low-flow irrigation products in their landscapes and gardens, rather than sprinklers.

Right now, homeowners across the country are realizing the need to use water wisely and are looking to install their own Micro and Drip Irrigation systems .  We applaud that - and encourage others to do the same.  A difference can be made, one garden and landscape at a time!

Below is a current drought map of the United States.  As you can see there are a lot of areas where water is more scarce.

Dripper benefits:  Better for clay soil types, very slow watering, hidden in most landscapes, no wind deflection.
(Little more effort to install, not pre-assembled, need to install several to cover the root zone.)

Using soil type to help in choosing Drip or Micro Sprinklers to water plants, shrubs, trees,  landscapes and gardens.  Use this checklist below to help you decide which to use for these soil types:

Easy jar test to find your soil type:
1. Fill a large jar 1/2 with soil, then fill rest with clean water.
2. Shake well, then let sit 24 hours or so. Take look at what type of soil you have.

 **General suggestion.  For best watering duration cycle information, contact local county extension agents.

Many people have heard of Drip Irrigation, but not everyone knows what it means, where it came from, or how easy it is to implement into your landscapes and gardens. I wanted to write a quick bit about it and share how awesome this method of irrigation can be for your plants.

What is Drip Irrigation?

Drip irrigation is an irrigation method that saves water and fertilizer by allowing water to drip slowly to the roots of plants, either onto the soil surface or directly onto the root zone,  Basically, it means that you can control where the water goes - being extremely efficient, effective and environmentally cautious in your plant development. 

Where did it come from?

Drip methods of watering plants where water was scarce have been around for centuries - from ancient times where clay pots were filled with water and allowed to seep into the soil to modern methods that involve poly and vinyl tubing and pressure compensated drippers for a specific flow rate for plants.  The more modern version of drip was developed after World War II, and it was used in arid climates to grow crops.  That method of drip irrigation is very similar to what is used today. With technology leading the way in water conservation, Drip Irrigation is improving constantly, allowing for more water saving and better irrigation of plants then ever.  Electronic water timers and soil moisture sensors can be added to drip systems to make them extremely effective at using water with little or no waste, making Drip Irrigation the most environmentally friendly way to irrigate, outside of natural rain storms.

Installing Drip Irrigation?

 When most people think of installing irrigation, pictures of long hot hours in the sun, digging ditches, laying pipes in the ground, and using tools to cut, manipulate and arrange them, come to mind. All of that is how underground irrigation is installed. Installing drip irrigation is actually really easy by comparison. For home garden and landscape use, many times all that is required is a faucet hook-up somewhere near where the irrigation is to be laid.  This makes installation really fast and efficient for homeowners to set up.  The most simple of Mister Landscaper's Drip Irrigation Kits is set up by attaching it to an outdoor faucet like a hose and running a line of poly to the location where the irrigation is needed.  The only tool really needed is a pair of scissors, and maybe a small hammer if you have hard ground. 

If a homeowner has underground irrigation, it is even easier to install Drip or Micro Irrigation.  For instance, one can easily attach adapters to PVC pipes for existing irrigation and then run lines to the areas where they would like to have drip.  Most set up of Drip or Micro Irrigation can take less then an hour to do and can save over 50% of the water used in traditional irrigation methods.

So, if you want to save time, save money, water your plants the best way possible, and most importantly save water for generations to come, Drip Irrigation and Micro Irrigation is the way to go.

Does Mister Landcaper have the best Drip Irrigation on the planet, Well, we think we do. 

Have an awesome day!

Adjustable Drippers and Adjustable Dripper Stakes are extremely versatile. They can easily be dialed from a one gallon-per-hour drip up to a ten gallon-per-hour eight-stream spray. Whether watering potted plants or irrigating a flower bed, you’re never more than a couple “clicks” from the ideal gallonage.

Follow this chart to accurately set water usage with our Adjustable Drippers and Adjustable Dripper Stakes.

To begin, make sure the adjustable head is completely closed by turning it all the way to the right. Now, the appropriate gallonage can be set by counting “clicks” as you rotate.

Note: If the adjustable head is rotated to the left beyond what is recommended, it can come off during use. Adjustable heads are NOT available as spare parts.

Let's face it. Sometimes pushing 1/4" Fittings into the ends of 1/4" Vinyl Tubing is not something one would say is particularly a snap. Actually, it's not a snap at all. It's more of a sliding motion, really. But I digress.

The fact is, most of us would rather work a little smarter than harder. Well, here's your chance.

To make inserting any 1/4" Fitting into 1/4" Vinyl Tubing as easy as possible, start by soaking the end of the tubing in hot water.

Before beginning your project, fill a mug with water, then microwave it on high for about a minute. (Amount of time depends on the microwave). Next, cut your Vinyl Tubing to length. Soak the end of the tubing in the hot water for about thirty seconds. Now, simply slide the 1/4" Fitting into the end of the 1/4" Vinyl Tubing. The hot water will have softened the vinyl to the degree that the fitting just slips in. Reheat the water as necessary.

It's a simple tip. But if you have to install a large number of 1/4" Fittings, it may just save your fingers.

Happy irrigating!

Ever have one of these in your yard? Chances are you have. They're everywhere. But, honestly, who doesn't love having these small, fluffy critters darting around the backyard? They're cute, right?

Well, perhaps if they're chewing through your Mister Landscaper tubing, they're not so cute. And this is a problem for some.

We've discovered that, on occasion, squirrels will chew through the Mister Landscaper tubing to get to the water. They're thirsty.

The easiest solution is to set out water pans or install a birdbath. As with most things, squirrels will follow the path of least resistance. If water is readily available, they won't bother to chew through your tubing to get it.

However, if squirrels are just not your thing, and you'd rather them be gone altogether, there are alternatives. If you search the internet, you will find everything from homemade pepper concoctions to powdered fox urine. Personally, I like birdbaths. But to each their own.

Happy irrigating!

In Flanders Fields

by John McCrae

In Flanders fields the poppies grow

Between the crosses, row on row, 

That mark our place, and in the sky, 

The larks, still bravely singing, fly, 

Scarce heard amid the guns below. 

We are the dead; short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, 

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields. 

Take up our quarrel with the foe! 

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high! 

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

Be thankful. Be safe. And have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend.

There is, however, one thing you should keep in mind when installing a Mister Landscaper Patio Kit - especially if you want to get the most from it.

If you plan on, at any point, simultaneously running all eight Dripper Stakes wide open (10 GPH), it is imperative that you DO NOT run them in a single line. Instead, you must first use one of the included 1/4" Tees and split the system so that it runs in two directions. By doing this, you make sure each stake is receiving the correct amount of water pressure. For reference, you can simultaneously run up to six stakes wide open.

However, if you plan to vary the flow rates between Stakes, then it is okay to run all eight in a single line.

Alternatively, by expanding the system and using Mister Landscaper 1/2" Poly Tubing as the main line, you can increase the number of Stakes to more than 30.

To do this, install a 25 PSI Pressure Regulator and a Poly Faucet Fitting. Then connect and run the 1/2" Poly Tubing around your patio or deck area. Finally, run a single line of 1/4" Vinyl to each Stake. That's it.

Now you know how to get the most from your Patio Kit.

Happy irrigating!

But no matter. Often these little epiphanous moments yield extremely useful tidbits. Take for instance: Cooking oil.

Now, while we certainly did not invent cooking oil, we did discover one of its many uses: Installing a Mister Landscaper system.

It came to our attention not too long ago that certain individuals were having difficulty pushing the 1/2" Poly Tubing onto the 1/2" Poly Fittings (There's a built-in O-ring on the fittings that does provide a bit of resistance). Since we couldn't get rid of the O-ring (it secures the seal), we racked our brains for another solution. That's when it happened. We discovered the nine hundred and seventy-third use for cooking oil.

Here's what you do: After cutting the 1/2" Poly Tubing to length, and before connecting any 1/2" Poly Fitting, apply a bit of cooking oil (olive, vegetable, canola) to the inside of the tubing just at the end. Then push the 1/2" Poly onto the 1/2" Fitting and over the built-in O-ring. Tighten the locking collar as usual. That's it! It's like butta!

And we won't get into the science of it here, but just that little bit of oil creates enough separation between the parts that installation becomes significantly easier. Simple, huh? But it works.

Whoda thunk it?

Recently, we've been getting questions about the .5, 1, and 2 gph Drippers. It seems there is some confusion over which end is installed in the 1/2" Poly and 1/4" Vinyl Tubing. Understandably, the mix-up does happen - both ends do have holes after all.

But that said, let's see if we can't clear up the confusion.

All of the Mister Landscaper Drippers - whether the aforementioned or not - have one thing in common: It's what we refer to as a barb. The barb is pointed, generally has a smaller orifice than the actual outlet, and has a ridge or rim that holds the Dripper in the Tubing and prevents it from blowing out (see inset). The barbed end of a Dripper is always the end that gets installed in the tubing. Once you know what to look for, it's easy to spot.

Drippers can be hugely beneficial in creating an effective irrigation system. Unfortunately, they only work one way.

Happy irrigating!

Everyone spends a great deal of time and energy discussing the environment these days. Global warming, the oceans rising, strange weather events. Very few media events focus a great deal of energy on a much more serious problem, saving fresh water.  There are some parts of the United States where droughts are so bad that people are using rain buckets to collect fresh water so they can water their plants when there is no rain because using sprinklers are prohibited.

Water is a precious resource in our environment. All life depends on it. Growing populations and ongoing droughts are running our fresh water resources dry, causing natural habitats to decline and impacting our everyday use of water.

People in industrialized populations should feel obligated to pay more attention to how we are using water, and how we may be wasting it. We must bridge the gap between our understanding of how important water is to our survival and what we can do to ensure that we have an adequate supply of clean water for years to come.

Here are 10 easy and practical tips for thinking "green" by saving the "blue". 

1. Check your sprinkler system frequently and adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street. 

2. Run your washing machine and dishwasher only when they are full, and you could save 1,000 gallons a month. 

3. Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway or sidewalk and save 80 gallons of water every time. 

4. Only water your lawn when needed. You can tell this by simply walking across your lawn. If you leave footprints, it's time to water. 

5. When you clean your fish tank, use the water you've drained on your plants. The water is rich in nitrogen and phosphorus, providing you with a free and effective fertilizer.

6. Put food coloring in your toilet tank. If it seeps into the toilet bowl, you have a leak. It's easy to fix, and you can save more than 600 gallons a month.

7. Use a commercial car wash that recycles water.

8. Wash clothes only when you have a full load and save up to 600 gallons each month.

9. When you give your pet fresh water, don't throw the old water down the drain. Use it to water your trees or shrubs.

10. Choose new water-saving appliances, like washing machines that save up to 20 gallons per load.

For more tips on how to save fresh water in your day-to-day lives, go to http://www.wateruseitwisely.com.

Of course, Mister Landscaper recommends using their products to save water as well. By utilizing Drip Irrigation and Micro Irrigation in your landscapes and gardens, you can save over half the fresh water you use every time you water.  Imagine the impact that would make if everyone did that. 

By Giselle Tsirulnik

Click on this link to see the article by Giselle Tsirulnik of Mobile Commerce Daily!    

In Mobile Commerce Daily

We have a new QR (quick response) program we have launched on our Kits and Side Stack Display of our new Micro Sprinkler Beginner's Kit at Lowe's this year.  If you have a smart phone, you can scan the bar code on our packaging, and it will take you our new Mobile Web Site hosted and created by Augme.  Please check it out or scan this code   or text  'DRIP2' to 30333

Have a great day!

This is my first blog post!  I decided to make it about something that is very important to me...supporting American-made products by purchasing them over an imported item.  I want to be realistic, and I know there are exceptions because with some products we dont have many U.S.-made choices.  But when we do have the opportuinty to choose between a U.S.-made versus an imported product,  I just want to say a big thank you for those that choose the American-made product!! 

Have any of you found that sometimes it is difficult to tell if it is actually made here in the U.S.?  We are seeing more of this as well, and we decided to engrave "Made in USA" on as many molded parts as we can.  We do make some very small Micro Sprays and Adapters, but if you look close you can find a "USA" on almost all the products we make here in our factory.  To be honest,  I'm probably a little more fanatical about the "Made in the USA" thing becasue I am a US Olympian and a 5th-generation U.S. citrus grower.  So I'll end my first blog with a "cheers to all of you that knowingly purchase American-made products"!